Is North Carolina The New Florida?

Over the past decade, there has seen a boom in retired people moving to North Carolina. Due to several factors, many Northerners are now choosing North Carolina over other Southern states.

Florida has traditionally been the state that most chose to retire in due to its beautiful weather and excellent retirement communities. Due to the increased number of hurricanes and tropical storms of late, many northerners that moved to Florida are now moving a little bit further north to North Carolina. In Florida, because of the massive hurricane damage, the average home insurance premium for a non-coastal home has risen 26.3%. For the coastal properties, are averaging a premium insurance increase of 42.1% with some choice areas facing premium increases far higher then that. Condo associations are also increasing their costs to members by an average of $2000 per year to make up for their increased insurance costs.

The high insurance costs, and the high property tax is making Florida a much more difficult state for retired people on a budget to be able to afford to live in.

North Carolina on the other hand still gets hit with hurricanes, but not nearly as often as Florida. North Carolina is also more likely to be hit by a tropical storm then a hurricane if it makes its way that far north because the power of the storm is usually weakened by the time it reaches the coast.

Your dollar goes a lot further when buying a house in North Carolina compared to Florida. Both property and home insurance are very affordable in North Carolina. This is yet another reason why so many who may be on a fixed income choose to retire there.

North Carolina is a beautiful state with many great places to move to for retirement. The Brunswick Islands are a very popular spot. These islands offer nearly 50 miles of sandy beach front with many fishing villages. There are also some world class championship golf courses.

The Crystal Coast offers quaint historic villages and over 80 miles of such famous beaches as Atlantic Beach, Salter Path, Indian Beach and Emerald Isle. There is much to do and see along the Crystal Coast from the historic waterfront town of New Bern to the Cape Lookout lighthouse.

The Outer Banks offers traditional fishing villages along with quiet, family friendly beaches. This area is particularly popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts due to its famous sport fishing.

We could not talk about North Carolina with out mentioning its mountains. These mountains have many lakes and streams and have a rich culture and history. Here you can find the famous Blue Ridge Parkway which has over 200 miles of breathtaking views. This area is popular for its hiking, fishing, swimming, golfing, bird watching and mountain biking.

Pinehurst, the Southern Pines and the Sandhills of North Carolina are perhaps one of the best kept secrets for retirement destinations. This area offers rolling hills and excellent golf courses. There are also world class restaurants and excellent medical services.

Wilmington is a historic port city that is a perfect retirement destination. This city offers the finest in urban amenities such as golf, shopping, dining and a rich culture. Wilmington is also a popular spot for movie making, especially its Cape Fear area.

North Carolina offers affordable property, great weather and activities for every taste. With baby boomers reaching retirement age, we may be seeing a larger wave of retirees moving that way. It's easy to see why so many people are shifting to North Carolina for their retirement plans.

About the Author

The author is publisher of Our Time Now a website dedicated to help you with your retirement planning.